Virtual Cookie Exchange

A family bell, a xylaphone, a music holder, a junky old crate top, and bits and pieces from nature...just for the big guy Mr. Clause!

OK...here's how the cookie crumbles. Sorry, just couln't help myself!

Melting Moment

1/2 pound of butter (yup, you heard me right)

1 and 1/2 cups of flour

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1/2 cup corn starch

1 Teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

Icing

Butter, confectioners sugar, and just a hint of fresh squezzed lemon.

First, you mix the sugar with the butter. Taste it to make sure you mixed it just right. Ah,hahaha! Remember...no eggs!

Next mix all of the other ingredients in. How's that for detail? You can use a hand mixer, but I wouldn't. The blender tends to make more of a mess than you really need.

After they are all mixed up throw them in the refrigerator to cool for about an hour. I can never wait that long...so really about a 1/2 hour will do. I know..this theory has been tested. Roll them into one inch balls and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Pop in the oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees. Don't forget to turn on the timer for somewhere between 10 and 14 minutes. I find that mine are usually done in about eleven minutes...but who's counting? Guess I am!

Can you smell them yet?? This is what they should look like when they are done to perfection. Golden brown on the bottom and some little cracks just starting to appear on the top. Pop one in your mouth when they are still good and warm...just to make sure they are done.

While the cookies are cooling let the icing begin. This is my twist. Most Melting Moments are topped with a sprinkle of confectioners sugar...but I like icing much better. Butter, confectioners sugar, and just a little squeeze of fresh lemon will get the job done! You can make it a little thinner and drizzle over the cookie or make it thicker and frost. Whatever floats your boat...just don't forget the lemon. That is my secret ingredient!

Decorate the top any way you like!! I'm a big fan of little holly berries because I'm not all that good at decorating cookies. You really can't mess up berries!

And there you have it folks! I decided to serve them on a xylaphone because it seems playful and childlike. Christmas is all about the kiddos afterall!

Ah, the bell. This is where the tradition and memories come in to play. As a kd this Christmas bell was always placed by Santa's cookies and our thank you notes. After distributing the gifts Santa would ring the bell like a mad man, hide it, and then scoot up the chimney before he got caught by six children who were racing up the steps at that very moment. I never could figure out how Santa got away so fast because we were pretty darn quick. Before opening our presents we had to find the hidden Christmas bell. One year it took an hour. Sheer agony! Side note: My sister Jean and I always got new Christmas gowns to where to bed on Christmas Eve. The 4 boys got new tighty whities, t shirts, and black socks. Now if that doesn't paint a picture I don't what will! There are plenty of awkward family photos!

All done. This exercise has been truly enjoyable. I have been eating the cookies the entire time. My keyboard is a little sticky! Please let me know if you make a batch or two of Melting Moments and if you think they are as yummy as I do! I can't wait to see and taste all of your recipes!

A family bell, a xylaphone, a music holder, a junky old crate top, and bits and pieces from nature...just for the big guy Mr. Clause!

Nope...I'm not bored. I thought it would be fun to do something we have never done together here at JMS so I came up with the virtual cookie exchange. I didn't really think we could all do one live and in person so here is the next best alternative. I am sharing a cookie recipe that is rich with warm and happy memories of my childhood. What's the cookie? My very favorite of all time...the one, the only, the Melting Moment. I'm not sure where my Mom got the recipe, but I am sure she added her own twists and turns over the years, just like I have done since I started baking the cookies in my own home.

These little babies are so delicious and get their name because they actually do melt in your mouth. Maybe that's because they are mostly butter. Nummers. Another good feature of this cookie is that you can safely eat the raw cookie dough...no eggs. Bonus!!!

Wait! I don't want you to share only your cookie recipe. Please show us your creative side as well. My take on delivery is for Santa service. I put together some fun vintage items along with a few junkables to make Santa happy this year. One last thing...please share a story or a tradition or two just for fun.

Comments (7)

CottageElements writes: Lamont16, if you click on the picture of the ingredients, you'll find it there :-)

Lani
Posted: 5:56 am on December 14th

gadgetsponge writes: Finding the bell before presents was sure to amuse the folks I'm sure. How funny. Those cookies look delicious but this is about as close as I'm getting to those delicacies! Haha. Great post!
Posted: 5:53 pm on December 13th

lamont16 writes: Love the cookies on the display...We (my three sisters and I ) always had new matching nightgowns each year, and "Santa " always made matching gowns for whatever doll we got that year....Funny how he always knew just what size to make ! .....My brother got PJ's but always of a different fabric. Did you post the recipe for your cookies? I could not find it.....Sounds yummy.....I'd love to try them.
Posted: 10:37 am on December 13th

CottageElements writes: These almost look too pretty to eat! I don't think the cookies I make are quite so pretty, so I'll have to maybe try some experiments before I post anything! Good thing you can't eat virtual cookies...ha! Better be a good recipe though just in case someone else tries to make it! Let the cookie recipes begin!

Lani
Posted: 11:01 am on December 12th

JunkArchitect writes: I love your family tradition but how come you didn't make me a batch when you stopped by?!
Your brother's Christmas morning outfit is exactly what I wear now but with the addition of a pair of burgundy loafers. It's a very festive look!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jim
Posted: 10:39 am on December 10th

georgiamoon writes: Oh Sue,
I can just see you guys running around looking for that bell. We always got the new jammies on Christmas eve too, but no one, and I mean NO one was running around in their underwear!!! How funny is THAT? Fun family tradition and the cookies look scrumptious. Can't wait to see more cookies and of course hear more traditions.
Love,
Georgia
Posted: 7:04 am on December 10th

Heavenly_Treasures writes: SUE,
I just got done with breakfast and you come up with a cookie recipe.Sound's delious. I love them and I,m trying to loose weight.Raisen cookies are my favorites.I'm intereted what kind might appear on this sight.You have a blessed day GOD BLESS ROBERT.
Posted: 7:02 am on December 10th